By: A European Expat
If you ask me what surprised me the most after two months working in Vietnam, it wasn’t the food or the chaotic traffic. It was how much having a Vietnamese eSIM with a real local phone number changed the way I could live and work.
1. Before Arriving: “Isn’t Data Enough?”
At first, I thought I just needed mobile data. Within two days, I realized:
In Vietnam, if you don’t have a local phone number, many things get surprisingly complicated.
– Grab, Shopee, Shopee Food, Zalo… All these apps require a Vietnamese phone number for registration and verification.
– Colleagues and even landlords prefer to call a local number instead of international.
– Many online services—shopping, food delivery, transport—send verification codes or contact you directly via a Vietnamese number.
I started searching for solutions and found GoVnSIM (Go Vietnam SIM) – an online service offering eSIMs with a Vietnamese phone number, delivered by email, no need to visit any store.
2. Ordering an eSIM: Just a Few Clicks
My first experience with GoVnSIM was incredibly easy.
– I ordered online and received a QR code by email within minutes.
– Installed the eSIM on my iPhone 13 before flying, and it connected as soon as I landed at Noi Bai airport.
– Pro tip: Check if your phone supports eSIM before buying!
3. What I Learned After 2 Months
- No Vietnamese Number? You’ll Miss Out on a Lot!
– Shopee & Shopee Food:
I loved using Shopee for shopping and hunting for deals, but creating an account, receiving OTPs, tracking packages—all required a Vietnamese phone number. For Shopee Food, a local number is essential because drivers almost always call to confirm your location, especially if you’re living in an apartment or a complicated address.
(I tried to sign up with my international number. It simply doesn’t work.)
– Grab, Zalo:
Grab is the go-to app for rides and food delivery in Vietnam, but again, registration needs a local number. Zalo is like the “super app” for Vietnamese people—colleagues, friends, even landlords use Zalo for group chats and daily communication.
- Coverage Everywhere, Even in the Mountains
– I traveled for work to Ha Giang, a mountainous area. To my surprise, my eSIM still had 4G signal—enough for video calls with family and checking Google Maps whenever I needed.
– When ordering food or shopping, shippers and drivers always called my Vietnamese number directly—a very local experience!
- What You Really Need to Watch Out For
– Plan Duration:
Initially, I worried because most Vietnamese tourist eSIMs are only valid for 30 days. I emailed GoVnSIM to ask, “Can you make it valid for 60 days?”—and to my surprise, they said yes and customized a plan for me. This flexibility was a lifesaver and made my project possible.
– Don’t Delete Your eSIM by Accident!
I almost deleted my eSIM profile once. If you do, you can’t re-scan the QR code—this is a universal rule for Vietnam eSIMs. Always save your QR code and confirmation email securely.
– Language in Apps & SMS:
Most apps have English options, but some verification SMS are in Vietnamese. I used Google Translate or asked colleagues to help.
4. My “Survival Tips” for First-Time Expats in Vietnam
– Take a screenshot/backup of your eSIM QR code and phone number somewhere safe (cloud, email, etc.).
– If you plan to stay longer than a month, ask your provider (like GoVnSIM) about custom plans—don’t assume you’re stuck with 30 days!
– Use Shopee for shopping, Shopee Food for your daily lunch, and Zalo to connect with new friends.
– Don’t hesitate to ask locals for help—they’re always happy to support expats.
5. Final Thoughts: Vietnamese eSIM Phone Number—A Small Thing with Big Impact
If you’re only in Vietnam for a short trip, maybe you don’t notice. But if you’re staying for weeks or months, especially for work, a Vietnamese eSIM phone number is your secret weapon. It helps you live like a local, solve everyday problems, and feel truly integrated.
I was extremely happy with my choice, especially because of GoVnSIM’s willingness to customize my plan for 60 days and their fast support.
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Pro tip: Back up your QR code and eSIM number. Don’t lose them!
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If you need a Vietnamese eSIM with a local number for your own work or adventure in Vietnam, you can check out GoVnSIM’s plans here: https://govnsim.com/
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Tags: expat in Vietnam, Vietnam eSIM experience, Shopee Food, Shopee Vietnam, Vietnamese phone number, GoVnSIM review
